The Manchester City fans in the Transfer Tavern were absolutely thrilled by Vincent Kompany’s return to form last season following a difficult few years for their captain.
Man City’s Belgian defender has played an instrumental role in City’s transformation over the course of the past decade, but at 32-years-old it’s fair to say his time at the club is slowly coming to an end. After years of struggle to return to full-fitness, Kompany finally enjoyed something of a breakthrough last season and looked like his former self, but another serious injury could all but end his career with the club.
With that in mind, Pep Guardiola should scout the market for a player who possesses the senior presence to ensure Kompany is replaced by a leader both on and off the field of play, and the former Citizen Jerome Boateng (valued at £40.5 million by Transfermarkt) more than fits the bill. The Germany international left the club in 2011 after an underwhelming season in Manchester in which he struggle to hold down a place at centre-back and was often shifted into uncomfortable territory at full-back.
Since swapping Manchester for Munich, Boateng has blossomed into one of the world’s best defenders, but he has hinted that he is ready for a new challenge in recent months after 7 years in Bavaria’s capital. Considering he worked alongside Guardiola when he was in charge at Munich, there’s no doubt that a return to the Etihad will carry a certain weight of appeal despite the fact he flopped during his first spell.
City will certainly be in no rush to replace Kompany this summer as he remains City’s most commanding and talented defender when he is fully fit, but an unfortunate injury during the World Cup could force Guardiola’s hand in the transfer market, and if that proves to be the case he should look no further than the formidable Boateng.
Man City fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
